Gator Bowl Opponents Expecting A Low-scoring Tussle

December 29, 1985|By Steve Ellis, Sentinel Correspondent

JACKSONVILLE — Forget that Florida State scored more points (76 vs. Tulsa) in a single game than any team in the nation this season. And discount Oklahoma State running back Thurman Thomas' 96 points and two four-touchdown performances.

Bobby Bowden and Pat Jones are predicting Monday night's Gator Bowl will be a low-scoring affair.

''They Oklahoma State play great defense,'' said Bowden, whose 8-3 Seminoles are unbeaten in their last three bowl appearances. ''I can't see us running up and down the field. No way.

''It should be a hard-hitting, low-scoring ballgame,'' Bowden said, ''unless one of us makes a terrible lot of mistakes.''

Oklahoma State Coach Pat Jones agreed. ''I'd be very surprised if many points are scored . . . they probably have as good a kicking game as anyone in the country, and it might just come down to that,'' he said.

Bowden and his players hope this game does not come down to FSU turnovers. In the Seminoles' three losses to Auburn, Miami and Florida, they committed 16 turnovers to just one for their opponents.

Two defenses that were among the nation's leaders in interceptions could make the turnover factor one to reckon with. Cowboys safety Mark Moore (seven interceptions) paced Oklahoma State to 20 interceptions, two shy of FSU's season total.

For Florida State, it is a game filled with challenges -- stopping Thomas (1,533 yards rushing) and establishing a strong running game to counter the loss of two starting receivers.

Thomas, a sophomore, sparks a well-balanced offense (1,929 rushing yards, 1,677 passing) that also features the strong arm of Ronnie Williams. Williams throws underneath the linebackers mostly but can pass deep as well.

''We've got to be able to stop the run, because if we don't it will keep us off balance all the time,'' defensive-line coach Chuck Anato said. ''They are a good running team. It's so important we stop him Thomas. He's so dangerous. We'd like to get in a situation where we know they have to pass.''

It is that very situation that keyed FSU's 20-10 victory over North Carolina. ''I think against North Carolina, the main fact is we stopped the run and didn't worry much about it after that,'' cornerback Martin Mayhew said. ''We just sat in coverage. Oklahoma State's whole offense revolves around Thomas.''

Phillip Bryant, FSU's starting wide receiver, bruised a knee in practice Friday and will play but won't start. Randy White of Marianna will start in his place.

Offensive guard Jamie Dukes of Orlando, one game away from an FSU record 48 consecutive starts, will reach that milestone in the Gator bowl despite injuring a knee on Friday.